ELVIS POLYCARP OSAREMWANTA
U14MM1105
Edo State was created out of former Bendel state in August 27, 1991 by the then regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Its capital is Benin City. Situated in the mid-south west of the country, Edo State covers 17,802 square kilometers. Edo state is home to several ethnicities, among them the Otuo, Bini, Esan, Akoko, Igarra, Ora, Ijo and Afemai. The state is renowned for its proficiency in sports and athletics and a culture of intellectual edification and scholastic excellence. Edo State shares boundaries with three other states of the federation. It is bounded on the north and the east by Kogi State, on the west by Ondo State and on the south by Delta State. Generally, it is a low-lying area except in the north where it is marked by undulating hills. The main towns in the state are Benin, capital of the ancient Benin kingdom which is also the state capital, Ubiaja, Auchi, Ekpoma and Uromi.
Edo State is endowed with abundant natural resources. The principal mineral resources include: crude oil, natural gas, clay chalk, marbles and limestone. Agriculture is the predominant occupation of people in this State. The major cash crops produced are rubber, cocoa and palm produce. In addition, the State produces such crops as yams, cassava; rice, plantains, guinea-corn, and assorted types of fruits and vegetables. Industrial enterprises in the State include Edo Cement Company, Okpella, Bendel Brewery, Benin City, Bendel Pharmaceutical PLC, Benin City, and Bendel Feed and Flour Mills, Ewu. Other small-scale industries abound.
Tourist attractions span the expanse of the state. Examples are the Emotan statue in Benin City, the Ososo hill, the Somorika hills in Akoko Edo and the over laying rock strata in Iyuku community. Somorika hills consist of an extended expanse of hills crowned by massive boulders perched precariously on the summits of hills and alongside seemingly inadequate locations on the sides.
Edo State has a rich cultural heritage. Benin City, the state capital is famous for its unique bronze, brass and ivory works of arts which are found all over the world in museums. The Royal Palace of Benin, Benin Museum, Benin Moat (Iya), Emotan Status, Somorika Hills in Akoko-Edo is also a tourist attraction. Others are Udo Tourist Centre in Esan East local government area and Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary near Benin City.
With Benin City as capital, the population of the entire state is approximately 4million. However, the State has a high presence of residents from across the country and the world because of its cosmopolitan tendencies. Benin City the capital has a history of being one of the foremost destinations of Europeans during their exploration of Africa continent many centuries ago. Some of the flash points have remained enviable tourists’ attraction for the state.
The main ethnic groups in Edo State are: Edos, Afemais, Esans, Owans and Akoko Edos. Virtually all the groups traced their origin to Benin City hence the dialects of the groups vary with their distance from Benin City. The Bini speaking people who occupy seven out of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state constitute 57.54% while others Esan (17.14%) Afemai comprising of Etsako (12.19%), Owan (7.43%), and Akoko Edo (5.70%). However, the Igbira speaking communities exist in Akoko Edo as well as Urhobos, Izons, Itsekiris communities in Ovia North East and South West Local Government Areas especially in the borderlands. Also, Ika speaking communities exist in Igbanke in Orhionmwon L.G.A.
A lot of communities and indeed the ruling dynasties in all the clans trace their roots to the ancient kingdom of Benin. Cultural similarities are in the areas of religious worships, folk-lore, dances, and festivals, traditional modes of dressing, arts and craft. The political pattern and behaviour are based on a situation where both the monarchical and republican ideas flourished in an integrated manner. The colorful traditional festivals in the state manifest its rich cultural heritage. Critical among these are the Igue and Ekaba festivals done among the Binis and Manhood initaition (age groups) by the Etsako people. With an estimated population of 3,218, 332 made up of 1,640,461 males and 1, 577, 871 females and a growth rate of 2.7% per annum (NPC, 2006), as well as a total landmass of 19,187 square kilometers, the state has a population density of about 168 persons per square kilometres
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